President George Bush is set to give a statement/presser at 11:00 am ET. It’s already well after 11, so things are running late. Bush is in Crawford, Texas today — and will be making the statement from there, as I understand it. We’ll cover it live as it happens. In the meantime, here are a few updates:
– Time has some statements from other opposition figures in Pakistan and from scholars in the US who have studied Pakistani politics.
– BBC reports that the UN Security Council is in emergency session after the assassination. Additionally, that there has been substantial carnage at the site of the attack, and that this is a severe blow to stability in that country and in the region at large.
– And Newsweek had an interview with Richard Haas of the Council on Foreign Relations about instability in Pakistan and the uneasy relationship between Bhutto, Musharraf and their respective supporters and detractors.
Soon as the Bush presser begins, I’ll liveblog for everyone as much as I can.
Bush presser/statement begins.
"We send our condolences to the family of Benazir Bhutto, to her friends, and to her supporters. We send our condolences to the families of others who were killed in today’s violence. And we send our condolences to all the people of Pakistan on this tragic occasion.
The United States strongly condemns this cowardly act by murderous extremists who are trying to undermine Pakistan’s democracy. Those who committed this crime must be brought to justice.
Mrs. Bhutto served her nation twice as prime minister, and she knew that her return to Pakistan earlier this year put her life at risk. Yet she refused to allow assassins to dictate the course of her country. We stand with the people of Pakistan in their struggle against the forces of terror and extremism. We urge them to honor Benazir Bhutto’s memory by continuing with the democratic process for which she so bravely gave her life."
That’s the whole of it. No questions taken.
Related posts:
- Obama’s Statement on Afghanistan Massacre Hints at Internal Administration Conflict
- “Assassination Squads” at Root of Latest CIA Revelations?
- Prosecution’s Opening Statement in US v. Bradbury, Bybee, and Yoo
- The Two Torture Tape Suspects, the Pelosi Briefing, and the Panetta Statement
- Obama Issues Signing Statement, Can Withhold Information from Pecora Commission
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Oh, no. No, no, no.
I’m sure he’ll probably fall to the occasion.
Could someone please stuff a sock in Bush’s mouth and let someone else speak to this whole thing??
Likely they have to pull him away from the brush.
What awful, awful news. I just found out about it. I thought she’d make it through after so long…
Looks like this could be Pakistan’s 9-11 moment, except, of course, that it’s no surprise at all…
Thanks for the hard work, Christy. You rule, dudette.
Bhutto must have know that this would happen. At what point does martyrdom become one’s goal in order to effect change?
Very sad.
Hello, Christy…
wow- he’s on the tv! it was supposed to be audio only (I heard earlier)
Musharraf…
short statement, eh?
Correction: sock in mouth that does not have Bush’s foot in it.
I blinked. Did I miss it?
Newsreports indicate at least 14 also killed in the explosion, plus ambulances lining up to take in the wounded.
bush’s statement sounded like it was written by a sixth-grader, partially plagiarized from a wikipedia entry…
Hm, so what did he say?
“Gosh that’s too bad. Well, I’ve got some brush to get back to. Bye!”
easy to blame it all on “terrists”
Pakistan Embassy on the Bhutto assassination coming up shortly on CSPAN
I’m assuming they mean a statement from the US embassy
The statement writer must always write to the level of the statement reader.
Bhutto’s assassination is another example of how inherently unstable Pakistan is. She was probably better than many Pakistani politicians but that is not to say she and her party weren’t incredibly corrupt.
The stories of recent days of the billions of dollars of US aid going to Musharraf so that he could buy off the army or spend it on preparing for a future war with India show how dubious the Bush policy has been to make Pakistan and Saudi Arabia our two main allies in the war on terror.
Look how Pakistan has been quietly supporting the Taliban in Afghanistan or how it has turned a blind eye to the growth of religious extremism fueled by Saudi financed madrassas and mosgues. Look at the threat of war with India or the tensions in cities like Karachi between majority Sunni and minority Shia. Look at tribal Pushtu and Baluchi challenges to the central government. Finally, add in the massive political corruption and a series of military governments. That’s a thumbnail sketch of Pakistan.
Balrog: Bhutto faced violence and possible death, I hope you’re not suggesting that it was a final act of political grandstanding?
And now Musharrif has an excuse for re-imposing martial law…
not much beyond, “I condemn this”… seriously – that was about it with a little nod towards terra…
geez, pb… that was weak!
Could have mailed it in, or given to Dana Peroxide.
Did the Dow plummet?
of course, as always – better he says less than more…
Has the General appeared yet in public or does he remember the Shah of Iran and is getting out now while the getting is good?
I think they did. He said nothing, except to repeat the familiar words, “cowardly” “terrorist” “extremist”
here’s a picture, purportedly the last taken, of Benazir Bhutto
EPUd.
The Haaretz article makes an interesting point.
The assassin actually got to within a “short distance” of her while carrying a rifle?
I listened to folks on MSNBC and they said “less is better” I think Bush listened.
From the Time link:
and he looked a little pissed that he had to put on a suit during his vacation… I guess it’s good he didn’t show up in a cowboy hat and boots…
He’s on Pak TV now according to CNN,
Yep, just like the streetlights that went out during the first assassination attempt.
very strange – that’s why the “shot then bombed” seems significant…
I’m not so sure the Bush Crime Family wanted Bhutto around, in fact quite the opposite.
History has shown that many answers, or at least plausible explanations can be found by following Dr. Death Squad, John Negroponte. He was in Pakistan last June and people were surprised when he took a “demotion” last year to Dep. Sec of State. I remember at the time many speculating that Negroponte switched jobs in order to carry out some nefarious plan.
Ever since the Pervez-a-palooza tour of the U.S. last year, where he was being portrayed as such a nice guy most notably on 60 Minutes, I’ve been skeptical of what’s going on there. Then, the recent Kabuki Dance around Pervez’s suspension of the Constitution, where the Bush Crime Family was scolding him and praising him at the same time, was very suspicious. In fact Negroponte was doing the Dance for in front of Congress just last month!
http://www.cnn.com/2007/POLITI…..kistan.ap/
As usual with this stuff, we won’t find a smoking gun since Special Ops knows to cover their tracks, but this is all quite fishy.
Sidenote: Upon watching some video from the scene, I found it odd that the EMTs running around for the cameras had vests on the said “RESCUE” and no other writing. I’ve spent time in India and much of Asia, and English was rarely found on things, let alone the only writing used for something so important as an ambulance crew. Wonder where they got that stuff?
Al Jazeera reporting Pak army has been put on red alert.
That’s why “some say” it was an inside job – i.e. her security guards
Has the General appeared yet in public…?
if he’s even remotely intelligent, he’d lay real low for a while. Statements? – yes. Make them in public? – no effin’ way.
I doubt that Musharraf was behind the Bhutto assassination. There are plenty of religious nutcases in Pakistan that would love to create chaos in Pakistan with the view of overthrowing the government and establishing a religious regime.
– BBC reports that the UN Security Council is in emergency session after the assassination.
I sure would like to know what they are saying…
That might be good news. I’m not sure if the General being alive or dead is better or worse from a nuclear standpoint.
Juan Williams says the Bhutto assassination is a ‘real plus for Hillary Clinton’.
-G
and he looked a little pissed that he had to put on a suit during his vacation… I guess it’s good he didn’t show up in a cowboy hat and boots…
I thought about both of those same things. Maybe we think alike.
You poor dear…
Getting past her security with a gun and a bomb required some detailed planning of the type used by Al Qaeda. Their 9/9/01 assassination of Massoud involved an elaborate plot that began with the theft of a camera in france. (The wikipedia has the details.)
brendanx (if you’re here):
Re: your inquiry in the last thread:
This Stephen P. Cohen of the Brookings Institution is the expert on Pakistan. The Russian expert Stephen Cohen is the one at Princeton. I got them mixed up.
creepy, eh? very weird this a.m. to joe scar making similar predictions…
Or, blackops!
Go to BBC World Service (audio: radio)
Al Jazeera explaining what Pak army on red alert means: will go to strategic locations in the country to maintain order.
You can’t be serious. Did that asshat really say that?
He’s got vagina issues almost identical to Tweety Matthews…
Yep. I don’t always agree with him, but he’s right on this one. On the Repug side: it’s a plus for Giuliani, sadly enough.
Albatross, no, political grandstanding never crossed my mind. Superhuman bravery and willingness to sacrifice for a cause, yes.
BBC has an obituary up on Benazer Bhutto
*Well, I think the logical conclusion is that Hillary pulled a Vince Foster on Bhutto.
-G
*Snark asterisk boldy noted.
Pakistani political rallies are pretty chaotic. That’s not to say that her security detail didn’t fall down.
Oh, for crissakes, this isn’t a plus for ANYONE in this country…politician, whatever, except maybe for the CIA budget…
I meant the UN Security Council, not the BBC, but, thanks, I’ll pull it up.
Your saying the General doesn’t have even one town of loyal supporters? And were backing this guy because we think he can bring stability to the area?
How? By uniting all of Pakistan Bhutto’s people, Al Quieda etc against him?
I didn’t think the news could get worst!
Or Mussad
“The United States strongly condemns this cowardly act by murderous extremists …”
*************************
Why does Bush (and many others) always call suicide bombers cowards? I hardly think killing yourself is particularly cowardly.
The part about bringing someone who committed suicide “to justice” makes me laugh, though. What a maroon.
For what it is worth, History of Pakistan up to 14 December 2007, note the players at prime minister (or coup meister) levels. If any discussion does not reflect the facts here, consider the source as mis/mal-informed and blowing smoke and mirrors. Facts are your friends, don’t abuse them.
Yep. Al-Qaeda and the Taliban, plus a ferrago of freelance jihadists from Saudi Arabia and also home-bred within Pakistan.
what a gracious lady to die for HRC/
Perhaps it was a blackop. Sounds sophisticated in that someone may have worked their way into the inner circle into her supporters and entourage and would not be searched or for whom proximity would not be questioned. That speaks to a long term project. A plant waiting for the termination order. JMO
do you really believe there is an al Quaida?
Why not to believe puditry on subject, and what it shows about kneejerk jerkiness of MSM, in this case NBC, from TPM.
http://talkingpointsmemo.com/archives/062069.php
I will speak to a Pakistani friend and report if I learn anything.
Just watch in the next few days how many of the prez candidates (on both sides) will try to get some mileage out of this…
IIRC, Bill Maher was fired for making that exact point.
Al Jazeera sez death toll 30 plus 40 wounded.
comments form Pakistan ambassador in Washington on CSPAN now
oh just DAMN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Anybody got a credible link to this corruption many mention?
POOR FUKKERZ just looking for a better life,with the jack boot removed from their faces
This is an interesting question. I think the mythology of al Qaeda is larger than its reality. A convenient collective for blame. Probably could say the same about BushCo, our home-grown problem organization. Kind of a cross (religious symbol unintended) between the Mafia and the Taliban. I am personally inclined to lay blame for everything that’s going wrong in our country and beyond on BushCo. So is it BushCo or is it Memorex?
Where did you get the rifle part?
No where in that article did they mention a rifle. There are several small hand held machine guns that can be concealed but nowhere in various articles both from the US, UK & EU did anyone mention a rifle.
see me @ 65 for TPM on discounting anything Scarborough says. Hope the reports from Sec. of State. Bowen gave you a happy holiday.
He’s projecting.
DOW down over 120 points I guess Bush’s speech could have been worse, course the day is still young.
Direct info from Pakistan Metro blogs:
LaHore Metro blog
Islamabad Metro blog
Karchi Metro blog
Yes, given the long history of actions by them before the Bush Administration ever stuck their incompetent noses into the situation. Given the prosecutions stemming fromthe initial attacks on the World Trade Center back in the 1990s. Given the conversations that I have had with any number of people who have been working on this issue for years and years before 9/11 — yes, I do.
Negroponte: “Negro” means black in Spanish, and “ponte” means point in Italian. Oh, the irony. Black Ops anyone?
well, I’ve got to hand it to Matthews… he at least made some intelligent comments that did not evaluate how this will affect different candidates…
he also seemed genuinely grieved with the loss…
I bet she hired thru US a security detail so she could “trust” em – or was offered this by Dick. The reason for the bomb to destroy this guy was perhaps to destroy evidence of an outsider. Pretty interesting what was said earlier about the emergency vehicles. On fiction blackops complements to this read Vince Flynn (complete with the emergency vehicles to secret away the bad guys).
oh, I think it’s a little early to run wild with U.S. black ops conspiracy theories…
Just imagine, a politican willing to put her life on the line. Then I think of our leadership and it makes me want to cry.
Democratic leadership is rapidly becomeing an oxymoron.
Thought I read this a ways back, but I might have got it wrong.
all GOLDSTEIN all the time?
Trying to interpret this event as benefiting anyone in the primaries is something of a stretch, unless some candidate is somehow allowed to make hay of it. I don’t know of any of the candidates who didn’t realize that Pakistan is a tenderbox. Joe Biden noted in the last debate that it warranted more attention than Iran. I mean, Dennis Kusinich could argue that an active Secretary of Peace would have allowed stability by now. If there is a candidate who didn’t know who Bhutto was, or Masharraf, like there was in 2000, it should make a difference. Otherwise, not.
Before Bush/Cheney, a black op suicide attack would seem unlikely.
Sharing my co-blogger Charles’ comments from MR:
You might be conflating reports that there was an attempt on Nawaz Sharif…that was reportedly a sniper.
-G
there’s some details in her obit
Exactly. Emergency personel with jackets that have RESCUE plasterd rather suspiciously acctoss the back.
I challenge the MSM to find another crew of rescue workers dispatched to the scene, with similar jackets.
More will be revealed later.
What a miserable thing for Pakistan and her people..Bhutto was fresh breath in an old system.
i would like to see more proof, instead of all terrorism linked to this org
Good points… except the NYT has great crossword puzzles.
No way she would trust Musharraf with the security detail, but she returned to Pakistan when she did largely at US request so I assume they said they would provide security for her.
Juan Cole has a post up now!
Interesting, my partner said virtually the same thing when I told her about it.
Interesting, no matter what Bush does, things over there just get worse. And people wonder why I want us out of there today.
Richmond – while the U.S. may have paid for her guards, the ones I saw surrounding her this morning looked to be Pakistanis…
The NYTimes now has some stunning photos from the scene.
Holy crap — buildings are being torched and people are staying home because the streets aren’t safe.
the dance of veils she has deftly performed … stirred as much distrust as hope….controversy… polarizing figure …turbulent tenures… acted imperiously and impulsively…. deep questions about her personal probity…big ambition…showed how she could aggrandize…distrust…back-room deal-making …believes she is the chosen one…dished out favors to constituents and colleagues…
Edited version of your comment. Was this about HRC?
Despite the protestations of all the world leaders including President Bush, Bhutto was a royal pain in the posterior to the US and was not cooperative when she was tilting towards China in the Cold War and playing footsie with the Muslim extremists when it suited her. I, for one, do not mourn her loss. If President Musharref has to declare martial law for the indefinite future, so be it.
Quite… dunno which is more embarrassing for us — a leader that says nothing because he sounds so stupid, or a leader that goes on and on sounding stupid…hmm…
al-qaeda has claimed responsibility.
http://www.adnkronos.com/AKI/E…..1710322437
Were they in a Vince Flynn novel they would have on rub on skin tanner, hair dye, and dark eye contacts. Just saying
giuliani live on msnbc re bhutto killing…
The NYT reported that US Secretary of State Condi Rice tried to fix Musharraf’s subsequent dwindling legitimacy by arranging for Benazir to return to Pakistan to run for prime minister, with Musharraf agreeing to resign from the military and become a civilian president
from Cole
God knows what Condi promised her….oy
Not really doubting this, but they would even if they didn’t do it.
Well, of course. No matter who is responsible, al Qaeda has the bully pulpit (bully cave?), and claiming responsibility only enhances their terrible swift sword reputation.
“ponte” means point in Italian
thought it meant “bridge”
The first photo of her standing through the sunroof with throngs surrounding her is appalling.
Just foolish. Tragically foolish.
-G
On a certain Rethug lad/lass among us. Why is it that the rethug supporters never seem to mourn the loss of heros (Tilman, Bhutto, Kennedy, ML King) but stand up steadfastly for the “rights” of nascent stem cells? And, why come here to trash?
The Warrenstan Report will state that the assassin acted alone and that although security was lax, the laxness did not contribute to the killing.
What’s he saying?
Hi folks….
Was just reading France24 news and there is an article that questions who exactly will benefit from this tragic incident…
It did mention something about the possibility of President Musharraf using this slaughter as an excuse to impose “another state of emergency”…
What do you think?….
Of course they would. Buffs them up and helps out Musharraf.
what fools these mortals be….i feel really sorry for the Paks…truly!
And yes, as pointed out here earlier, the US now has agreement to have US troops working on Pakistani soil.
Even though I’ve known that US Government supported black ops have gone on for over a 100 years now, I never really believed conspiracy theories. I’d usually tell JFK assasination theorists that they’re looney.
Starting around 2003, when the US military invades a country for no reason whatsoever to do with the 9/11, which millions of us knew at the time, and where 100s of thousands have been killed, I entertain these theories now. Especially with the way the Conglomerate Media actively covers up any questions about the “official stories.” Couple that with people like Major General Smedley Butler and Eisenhower warning the public about people like the Bush Crime Family (literally Butler was talking about about Shrub’s granpappy back in the 30s!), how can you not theorize about special ops?!?
http://warisaracket.com/
and that is the sociopathic personality in short
uhhh…yea, that’s what I meant. The irony still carries over…
Specter is in Pakistan and was scheduled to meet with her this evening.
Bullseye.
Thanks for the timely analysis.
Bush says “cowardly,” now as in 2001, because his handlers don’t trust him to pronounce “heinous,” “despicable,” or “dastardly” correctly.
Said he wants to have more troops in Afghanistan. I wasn’t really paying close attention for fear i would lose more brain cells.
Arlen Specter is on now – he was scheduled to meet with her this evening.
forgive my screaming please
STEALING 2 ELECTIONS HERE IN THE USA,ARE GIANT CONSPIRACIES…. ive been needing to scream this for 3 yearsnow…thanks for listening
So Karzai, Specter, Patrick Kennedy…were/are all in Pakistan and met/or were to meet with Bhutto…
You are citing Wikipedia as a reference document? A website were anyone can edit and make stuff up? You sound just like Bush blaming extremist terrorist prior to any concrete details.
Old single bullet theory there in person, boy, he will clear it up for
all who want the real story.
From Bush’s words, I have to conclude Musharraf is responsible.
I think you are right Phoenix Woman. Just thought I would pass along the info though.
Listen to live BBC World Service radio news here.
oh but these conspiracies are IMPOSSIBLE for too many people are involved/ HA!
Negro ponte means black bridge in Italian. Negro also means black in Spanish and a host of related languages. Ponte also crops up in spanish slang but doesn’t carry meanings of bridge (which is puente in spanish).
Oh jeezus…Specter is there?!? A central figure in the JFK assasination and now he’s right in the middle of this? Who writes these scripts?!?
I was shocked to read this news a few minutes ago. Not shocked that it happened, but I feel the world lost an important voice in a region that desperately needed it. Sad, very sad.
Listen here to live BBC World Service radio news.
Ironic. The thing is, it is clear that the US was pushing for Bhutto to regain power…my immediate thought is that Muscharraf must feel really threatened..also because 4 of Sharif’s workers were killed hours earlier..I think he had a lot more to immediately gain than Al-Qaeda…but who knows at this point.
Mods:
Apologies for the double post. Toobz acting up again: data connection lost…
If Specter was to be at a meeting with her it adds to the possibility of an Isr*el connection to this hit. Specter clearly had Blackwater security with him, and they probably cleared the place for their meeting. I mentioned a Mussad connection earlier (mostly tongue-in-cheek) but also because of the way it went down. In short, there are an awful lot of strange things coming together on this, and I’m smelling something nefariously neocon behind it!
all the news thats fit to merge….or submerge
brendanx:
Did you see my comment above re: Stephen Cohen?
bonkers @ 136: A central figure in the JFK assasination
Specter had nothing to do with the assasination. He was only involved in the cover-up.
very first thing i thought…tinfoilhat is now permantly attached to ward off shitstorm
Merci beaucoup, How did you Know that I was having difficulties with my media player? You are clairvoyant.
Am also having toobz difficulities…But, am listening now.
I agree Richmond…just heard Spector…he repeatd twice “Musarrif is our only hope for demokraci…some democracy…
okay this thought is TOO horrible…ya think Condi set her up?
Per BBC – Musharraf’s police and military getting attacked in various cities.
The tinfoil hat messed up with the reception
the Gandhis on India: like mother, like son
the Bhuttos in Pakistan: like father, like daughter
sad.
Can we please not rehash the JFK crap right now?
Ya know…I never have problems looking up my horoscope or non-political news sites…hmmmm…
BBC World Service is very good at covering these sorts of international events, especially in anglophone countries. BBC (auntie or the beeb) went native a long time ago, right from the time of its inception in 1933. It used to be called BBC Empire Service. As I said in the last thread: the UK is packed with experts on Pakistan–in the best of their Arabist tradition. Think D.H. Lawrence.
All depends on how you define “democracy.” We abuse this word as the reason for our intervention in so many countries around the world. Not working too great here at home either.
No surprise there — my main worry is how much this will flare up in the country…
Yes, and notice how the word “Democracy” has become renegotiated away from what it means in this strange neocon world. We insist on a “democracy” in Iran and when they vote in a thug, the neocons begin press to bomb him out of existence. We insist on a new Palestianian election and when Hamas gets elected, the same thing is perpetuated on them. Now that blackpos have offed the main democratic oppositon to Pakistan dictator Musharraf, Specter claims he is the only Democratic hope. It all rhymes with stolen elections at home, bombs called Peace Keepers and the rest.
Here or there? I guess everything is right on schedule then?
…for some definition of democracy…
Mossad…*g*
hahahahahahaha
ORWELL rolls in his grave
If, and a big if, the US was playing it straight with Bhutto, it was a
huge gamble… Pakistani Intelligence IS al quaeda, the army is hugely
sympathetic also… no way it would work, even if it was played straight.
Easily penetrated by status quo interests in that region. She never had
a chance.
Negro is Italian for Black
Ponte is Italian for Bridge
Violence begets violence.
If you keep producing weapons, people will use them. Isn’t that the point?
well look at the thugs we rolled in right here
fox news declared the winnah
I think Condi would have a hard time setting up an orgy in a bordello.
Sorry but these things so smell of blackops that it is hard not to see part of the history of the organization here. And remember that Bush senior was one of the boys. Could be he is looking for a new “team event” that would make his son look good before he leaves office. Iraq didn’t turn out so well, and the Palestinian -Isr*eli peace talks – not so much. Maybe if we can take out Musharraf now and set up a new state here, or, find that missing body of Osama in Pakistan that would be fine. Ah yes, and if that body were to be found just before the election so that Osama and Obama could be co-joined over and over again in pictures and text – well that would be good too.
With all the tinfoil flying around now, I’ve been reminded of the video CNN kept playing all morning from the scene, and I remember thinking at the time how non-chalant the EMTs were, and how they got into the ambulances and drove away without putting anyone in the ambulance. This is the same footage where they had “RESCUE” emblazoned on their backs.
Who knows, there may be a number of reasons for this, but there was still daylight so it must of been fairly close to the attack time, and it all just seemed strange. It must be out there somewhere on the tubes since it was being played over and over again on CNN this morning.
mebbe Darth set her up?
Agree.
Yup – spell check left me before the break.
Thanks, that helps.
Bonkers:
I don’t suppose that it has anything to do with the fact that English is one of the official languages in Pakistan?
It’s a hard day and hard times are ahead. Assassination is such a convenient tool to assure change or no change. I was shocked at this morning’s news even though I knew this was a likely outcome. Musharraf may end up with a situation that is a greater problem than the elections.
If you and I can know that, then what of the better informed and
responsible types that set this in motion in the most dangerous location
on the planet? Something rotten in denmark does not begin to explore the
possible players sub rosa.
Have they sent the IAEU over to Pakistan as of yet? Or is that also in their plans?
Thanks for the info. Had no idea. You learn something new everyday!
Think about the remnants of the British Raj and their impact on the entire region…and you get a sense as to why English is one of the official languages there.
Google “ISI and 9-11″ — The Pakistan Inter-Service-Intelligence created and sponsored both Al Qaeda and the Taliban. Shortly before the 9-11 attacks, Ahmed Omar Saeed Sheikh transfered $100,000 to 9-11 Ringleader Mohamed Atta — at the behest of ISI Chief Lt. General Mahmoud Ahmad, according to the Times of India.
http://www.globalresearch.ca/articles/CHO206A.html
http://socrates.berkeley.edu/~pdscott/qfisi.html
http://globalresearch.ca/articles/KUP209A.html
Pakistan’s ISI ‘Fully Involved’ in 9/11
http://www.worldthreats.com/As…..209-11.htm
Osama bin Laden’s principal Pakistani adviser before Sept. 11, 2001, was retired Gen. Hamid Gul, a former ISI chief who, since the 2001 attacks, is “strategic adviser” to the coalition of six politico-religious parties that governs two of Pakistan’s four provinces. Known as MMA, the coalition also occupies 20 percent of the seats in the federal assembly in Islamabad.
…
Gen. Gul worked closely with the CIA during the Soviet occupation of Afghanistan when he was ISI chief. He was “mildly” fundamentalist in those days, he explained after Sept. 11, and indifferent to the United States. But he became passionately anti-American after the United States turned its back on Afghanistan following the 1989 Soviet withdrawal and began punishing Pakistan with economic and military sanctions for its secret nuclear buildup.
A ranking CIA official, speaking anonymously, said the agency considered Gen. Gul “the most dangerous man” in Pakistan. A senior Pakistani political leader, also on condition of anonymity, said, “I have reason to believe Hamid Gul was Osama bin Laden’s master planner.”
The report received by the Sept. 11 Commission from the anonymous, well-connected Pakistani source, said: “The core issue of instability and violence in South Asia is the character, activities and persistence of the militarized Islamist fundamentalist state in Pakistan. No cure for this canker can be arrived at through any strategy of negotiations, support and financial aid to the military regime, or by a ‘regulated’ transition to ‘democracy.’”
The confidential report continued: “The imprints of every major act of international Islamist terrorism invariably passes through Pakistan, right from September 11 — where virtually all the participants had trained, resided or met in, coordinated with, or received funding from or through Pakistan — to major acts of terrorism across South Asia and Southeast Asia, as well as major networks of terror that have been discovered in Europe.
“Pakistan has harvested an enormous price for its apparent ‘cooperation’ with the U.S., and in this it has combined deception and blackmail — including nuclear blackmail — to secure a continuous stream of concessions. Its conduct is little different from that of North Korea, which has in the past chosen the nuclear path to secure incremental aid from Western donors. A pattern of sustained nuclear blackmail has consistently been at the heart of Pakistan’s case for concessions, aid and a heightened threshold of international tolerance for its sponsorship and support of Islamist terrorism.
“To understand how this works, it is useful to conceive of Pakistan’s ISI as a state acting as terrorist traffickers, complaining that, if it does not receive the extraordinary dispensations and indulgences that it seeks, it will, in effect, ‘implode,’ and in the process do extraordinary harm.
so many webbs they weave…all lead back to “US speading democracy all over the earth” (used as fertilizer)
This is a sad day for Ms. Bhutto, her family, followers and country. Unrest and violence may spread, with considerable loss of life. We are seeing some of that now. I think we all hope that can be contained and that those most affected may have time to grieve, and her party and country time to rebuild. Circumstances do not help their cause.
Ms. Bhutto was Musharaf’s principal rival. She opposed him, his generals, and his country’s religious extremists, with whom Musharaf is in uneasy alliance. The assassination occured in Rawalpindi, tightly controlled by the Pakistani army. As in the death of JFK, Musharaf and those agencies of government charged with investigating this murder are those primarily in charge of maintaining state security. Consequently, they have the most to lose by accurately disclosing what went wrong and how they failed, regardless of conspiracy theories, regardless of how credible or far fetched those may be.
The White House has a considerable investment in maintaining Musharaf as its client (though some say he is the puppet pulling his masater’s strings). This murder was expected and, presumably, numerous measures were taken to guard against it, since its destabilizing effects are happening before our eyes.
Given Pakistan’s nuclear capability and its role in Mr. Bush’s Middle Eastern aspirations, we should learn here what the CIA knew and when it knew it. Almost certainly it was aiding Musharaf with electronic intel to protect himself against threats, which he would have interpreted to mean his political rivals as well as violent criminals.
While we publicly and privately grieve for the individuals involved and consider how events in Pakistan could affect their and our security, we should not use this predictable event as another excuse to clamp down on our civil liberties, to raid our treasury and to resort to even more violence in order to relieve our fears or stoke our adolescent leaders’ hearts.
That’s because he was only allowed to say the Politically Incorrect things his bosses approved.
The Truth is still largely off limits.